Device for selecting colors



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H. H. ADLER DEVICE FOR SELECTING COLORS Filed April l0, 1923 2' Sheetsheei, l

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H. H. ADLER DEVGE FOR SELECTIE@ COLORS" Filed Abril l0, 1923 2 Smets-Shea?. 2

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Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES HAZEL H. ADLER, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR SELECTING COLORS.

Application filed Apri1 10, 1923.

Vhile my invention is not limited thereto, it is particularly useful in color printing. The printer usually is a person unskilled in the art of selecting and preparing harmonious color combinations, and it has usually been necessary as a preliminary to a color printing job, to have a person skilled in color cifects select and prepare the colors and the printer then carry out the printing lo operation with the colors so selected and prepared.

In accordance with my invention, a color device is provided with a plurality of color indications from which the printer or other I5 person, no matter how unskilled in the art of colors, may select harmonious color com binations. VWhile I have shown my invention embodied in a device that is particularly applicable for color printing, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto.

The following is a description of a device vembodying my invention in the form at present preferred by me, but it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention and without exceeding the scope of my claims.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a face view of a chart made in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a face view of a mask for use in connection with the colors illustrated in the upper portion of the chart shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a face View of a mask for use in connection with the bands of neutrals and blends shown in the lower portion of the chartillustrated in Fig. 1.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The chart illustrated in Figure l has two parts, 29 and 30, each an assemblage of color areas, and between these twoparts a representation of a musical chromatic scale 27, with colored rectangular notesv corresponding in color with the vertically aligned colors in the part 29 above it. At the upper line' of the part 29 are the musical designations of the notes of the chromatic musical scale, including one octave and a portion of another octave, commencing with C followed by a space indicating C-sharp, then D, then a space indicating D-sharp, then E, then F, then a space indicating F-sharp, and so on, the last space to the Serial No. 631,065.

right indicating F-sharp of the second scale.

Beneath the line indicating the notes is another line indicating the corresponding colors, which appear in the row of spaces immediately below, R indicating red, R O indicating red-orange, O indicatlng orange, etc., the colors shown being harmonicallyselected and arranged as in the patent to Taylor No. 1,308,512, July l, 1919, and therefore being red, red-orange, orange, orange-yellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, green-blue, blue, blue-violet, violet, violet-red, and then in the repetition thereof red, redorange, orange, orange-yellow, yellow, yellow-green, and green, these constituting a full range of the normal spectrum followed by a considerable part of a second identical range in the same order, so that the whole series is harmonically arranged. In this speciiication and the appended claims the word harmonically is used toindicate that the relations between the colors are those originally suggested by the numerical relations between the vibrations of the musical harmonies. .These colors are shown as arranged in four rows, 291, 292, 293 and 294, the successive rows showing different tones. For example the first color in each of the rows is red, but the four red colors differ in tone, being successively lighter and preferably so made by admixture of white. This tone variation is followed throughout the series, so that each horizontal row shows the same colors in the same order but the successive rows are of lighter tones.

A mask is provided for selecting from the part 29 harmonious color combinations of triads of the same or diierent tones. This mask 3l is shown in Figure 2. It is provided with openings 321, 322 and 323, the middle opening 322 being substantially twice as wide as the other two openings and spaced from each by the width of two full columns of colors. The mask is also provided with transverse guides 35, 36 and 37 in which are received strips 38, 39 and 40 formed of cardboard or the like. The strip 38 is provided with an opening 4l. The

strip 40 is provided with an opening 42 and the strip 39 is preferably provided with two openings and 44, the one located on the 'left side of the strip and the other on the right side of the strip and spaced apart longitudinally o1 the strip or vertically a distance greater than the vertical Width of the rows 291, 292, 293,294. It will be understood that the color areas on the part 29 of Fig. 1 are the same size as the openings'41, 42, 43 and 44 of. the mask. By suitably positioning the strips 38, 39 and 40, the same or different tone color combinations which are in harmony, may be exhibited. For example, With the strips positioned as indicated in F ig. 2, when the mask is placed over the part 29, with the opening 41 eX- posing the lirst color, red, at the left of the second rod 292, representing the second row of tone colors, then the color exposed through the opening 43 Will be orange-yellow of row 291, or the lirst tone, and the color exposed through theopening 42 Will be green blue of row 294 representing tone four, the red, orange-yellow and green-blue forming a harmonious color combination in correspondence with a minor chord of the musical scale. By bringing the opening 44, instead of the opening 43, over the colors, harmonious color combinations corresponding to major chords out the musical scale may be selected in a manner which Will be obvious Without further explanation. The foregoing are given only as illustrations. It will, ot' course, be understood that any desired color combination of the same tones or of diiterent tones may be secured.

The upper part 29 o't' the chart and the corresponding mask 31, above described, form the subject of my Patent No. 1,630,247, May 31, 1927, and are not separately claimed herein.

At the bottomV of the chart shown in Fig. 1, the part 30 represents a plurality of bands or rows of neutrals, gray neutrals and blends. The middle row 45 is preferably formed by printing gray over the vertically corresponding color of the top row 291 of the part 29; that is, the first color at the left o't' the middle row 45 would be formed by printing gray over red. The top row 4G is preferably formed by printing the eighth color to the right in the top row 291 of the part 29 over the vertically corresponding color of' said top row 291; that is to say, the first blend would be formed by printing green-blue over red. The bottom ronl 47 is preferably formed by printing over the vertically aligned colcr in the top row 291 ot the part 29, the succeeding color in said top row 291 in the part 29. For example, the irst blend would be formed by printing red-orange over red. Each band or row 45, 4G, 47, thus consists ot a series of color areas aligned with the corresponding color areas in the rows 291, 292, 293 on which they are respectively based. Each row or band therefore is composed of a single color systematically modified from the approximately normal colors ot the spectrum :tollowed by a considerable part ot' a second identical range, the whole ol each row 'forming a series of such systematically modilied colors. The simple mask 48 shown in l? ig. 3 is for use with the part 30. illustrating the neutrals and blends, and will be understood without Yfurther description, it being understood that the color areas in the part 39 are of the same size the openings 49, 50 and 51 ot the mask shown in Fig.

F or example, it darker tones than those of row 291 are desired the mask 48 is placed upon row 45, 4G or 47 with its openings directly below the corresponding openings in the mask el upon the chart 29, reversing the mask 4S, il: necessary, to bring the opening 50 under the opening or 44, as the case may be. The darker tones appearing at the openings 49, 50 and 511 oit the mask 48 may be either substituted For the color tones then appearing at the openings in the mask 31, or may be used in combination therewith as parts ot harmonies containing more than three colors. Thus by the simultaneous use o't, the tivo masks, four-color, tive-color, and six-color harmonies may be mechanically obtained.

It will be apparent that one unskilled in 9 color effects may select from the whole chart a Wide range of harmonious color combinations either oit pure sjjiectrum colors or o'l' modified spectrum colors or of' combinations of the two.

I claim:

1. A device for selecting harmonizing colors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straightline, said series including one range ot the spectrum colors systematically modi'lied to show a darker tone 'lfollowed by a considerable part of a second identical range in the same order so that the Whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color of the series so as to mechanical-` ly select and exhibit a color harmonizing With a, color to which it is adjusted.

2. A device for selecting` harmonizing colors containing a color chart showing the principle colors ot the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one range oli the spectrum colors systematically modified by over-printing to show a darker tone followed by a considerable part ol a second identical range in the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color ot the series so as to mechanically select and exhibit a color harmonizing With a color to which. it is adj usted.

3. A device for selecting harmonizing colors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one range of the spectrum colors systematically modified to show a darker tone followed by a considerable part of a second identical range in the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, a second aligned series of spectrum colors systematically but differ ently modified, and a mask adjustable to any color of either series so as to mechanically select and exhibit a color harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted.

t. A device for selecting ha-rmonizing colors containing acolor chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including` one range of the spectrum colors modified by overprinting with a neutral, followed by a considerable part of a second identical range in the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, a second aligned series of spectrum colors systematically modified by overprinting with a color varying with the under color, and a mask adjustable to any color of either series so as to mechanically select and exhibit a color harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted.

5. A device for selecting harmonizing colors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one range of the spectrum colors followed by a considerable part of a second identical range in the same order, so that the whole is harmonically arranged, a second aligned series of spectrum colors systematically modified by overprinting, and means settableto different colors to mechanically select and exhibitcolors harmonizing therewith in both series.

- 6. A device for selecting` harmonizing colors containing a colorchart showing ther principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one range of the spectrum Jfollowed by a considerable part of a second identicalrangein the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, a second aligned series of spectrum colors systematically modified to show a lighter tone also including one range and a considerable part of a second identical range, a third aligned series of spectrum colors systematically modified to show a darker tone also including one range and a considerable part of a second identical range, and means for mechanically selecting from all said series two colors which harmonize with any desired one of the colors.

7. A device for selecting harmonizing colors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum harmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one range of the spectrum followed by a considerable part of a. second identical range so that the whole is harmonically arranged, two series of spectrum colors aligned therewith, each systematically. but differently modified to show a lighter tone, each including one range of the spectrum followed by a considerable part of a second identical range, two other series of spectrum colors aligned therewith, each systematically but differently modified to show a darker tone, each including one range of the spectrum followed by a considerable part of a second identical range, and means for mechanically selecting from all said series two colors which harmonize with any desired one of the colors.

8.1A device for selecting harmonious colors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum systematically modified and arranged in series, said series including one range of the spectrum followed by a considerable part of a second identical range so that the whole is harmonically arranged, and means for mechanically selecting a color about two-thirds the length of a spectrum from any given color together with a color about half way between said two colors, but nearer one than the other, so that the three colors together form a tri-color harmony.

9. A device for selecting harmonious co1-` ors containing a color chart showing the principal colors of the solar spectrum systematically modified and arranged in series, said series including one range of the spectrum followed by a considerable part of a second identical range so that the whole is harmonically arranged, a second series of spectrum colors systematically but different ly modified and aligned with the first series, and means for mechanically selecting a color about two-thirds the length of a spectrum from any given color together with a color about half way between said two colors, but nearer one than the other, so that the three colors together form a ytri-color harmony.

10. A device including a color chart showing colors llarmonically arranged in series in a straight line, said series including one entire range of colors based on the spectrum colors overprinted with gray followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order, so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color of the series so as to exhibit u color harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted.

l1. A device including a color chart showing colors harmonically arranged in series in a .straight line, said series including one entire range of colors based on the spectrum colors overprinted with gray followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order, so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color ol the series so as to exhibit colorsv liarmonizing with the color to 'which it is adjusted and making a three color harmony.

12. A device including a color chart showing colors harmonically arranged in series, said series including one entire range ot colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modified from the approximately normal spectrum colors by printing anotherl systematically selected color over each approximately normal spectrum color olloued by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color or the series so as to exhibit a color harmonizing with the color to Which it is adjusted.

13. A device including a color chartshowing colors liarmonically arranged in series, said series including one entire range of colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically pmodiiied irom the approximately normal spectrum colors by printing another systematically selected color over each approximately normal spectrum color followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that the whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color of the series so as to exhibit colors harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted and ma ting a three color harmony.

111. A device including a color chart showing colors harmonically arranged in series, said series including one entire range ot colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modilied romthe approximately normal spectrum colors by printing over each color a color o1l the spectrum. range considerably removed thereilrom, followed by considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that the Whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color of the series so as to exhibit colors harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted and making a three color harmony.

15. A device including' a color chart showing colors harmonically arranged in series, said series including one entire range or colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modified from the approximately normal spectrum colors to show a darker 'tone by printing over each color an adjacent color, followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that the Whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color ot the series so as to exhibit a color harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted.

16. A device including a color chart showing colors harmonically arranged in series, said series including one entire yrange ot colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modified from the approximately normal spectrum colors to show a darker tone by printing over each color an adjacent color followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that the Whole series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjust-able to any color of the series so as to exhibit colors harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted and making a three color harmony.

17. A device including a color chart showing a plurality of rows of colors harmonically arranged in series in each row, each series including one entire range of colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modilied in a form individual to the series from the approxiniiately normal spectrum colors, each range 'followed by a considerable part of an identical range in the same order so that each series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color of any series so as to exhibit a color harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted.

18. A device including a color chart showing a plurality of rows ol colors harmonically arranged in series in each row, each .series including' one entire range of colors based on the spectrum colors but systematically modilied in a form individual to the series from the approximately normal spectrum colors, each range followed by a considerable part ot an identical range in the same order so that each series is harmonically arranged, and a mask adjustable to any color in any series so as to exhibit colors` harmonizing with the color to which it is adjusted and making a three color harmony HAZEL H. ADLER. 

